Mutharika jets in from CHOGM

Professor Peter Mutharika who left the country two weeks ago for 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, returned home Saturday afternoon through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA).

Mutharika who jetted in at around past 4, was welcomed by Vice President, Saulos Chilima and other government officials including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters who kept on chanting “adadi abwera” (dad is back).

Briefing journalists after inspecting a guard of honour, Mutharika said a lot of things were discussed at the CHOGM which included women empowerment, migration, the youth, climate change, economic development among others.

“It was a successful trip where we have discussed a lot of things and I met a number of investors who are willing to come and invest in our country.

“I met with a number of potential investors including those wanting to invest in the sugarcane industry in Nkhata-bay but also I tried to convince the owner of stagecoach bus lines to bring back the company to Malawi.

He said apart from meeting Malawians in the diaspora and visiting the university of Glasgow where issues of cooperation between Malawi and Scotland were discussed, he was able to sign a global partnership agreement which he said was the first of its kind adding that it would help Malawi to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mutharika who also visited the Scottish government said they also tackled on the issue of malaria which has hit the country and needs a lot of attention to save lives.

President Mutharika was taken by surprise when party loyalists demanded that he addresses them before he leaves the airport to his state house.

Addressing the audience, Mutharika said he was happy that people had gathered in large numbers to welcome him from Scotland.

He said he is aware of some hypocrites who want to divide the party. He said he was certain that he was going to stand again come 2019 and that DPP will carry the day.

He was overwhelmed with the support he got at the airport saying such support gave him impetus to carry the flag for DPP come 2019.

The first couple thanked all Malawians for the prayers offered while they were away and said he was happy to be back home.

The mood was so clear that people wanted more of his time which he said he would soon hold a rally where he would have ample time to speak to the people.

CHOG 2018 was the 25th meeting of the heads of government of the Commonwealth of Nations with several notable attendees that included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Overall, 47 out of 53 commonwealth states were represented at the summit by their heads of government, with foreign ministers being the most senior attendees of the remaining countries.

Here is an Excerpt from Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s address to the Scottish parliament.

The Malawi-Scotland Partnership has become one of the strongest North-South relationships in the world. Such relationships rare and precious in a world where, paradoxically, developed countries like exploiting and manipulating poor countries in the name of supporting them.

At the Government to Government level, our bilateral relationship is very encouraging. Scotland has been our voice. You spoke for us when we needed aid resumption. And you speak for us to end the exploitation of double taxation.

You spoke for us when floods swept Malawi; when drought failed our crops; when our people suffered in hunger. Count on us – Malawi will always speak for you on the African table.